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Come, Lord Jesus

Advent is here! During Advent we are full of eager expectation, waiting and preparing for the coming King. As the liturgical colors change from green to purple, the color of royalty, we declare:
“Come King Jesus.We watch and wait for you.We prepare our hearts for your coming. Open our eyes to your daily presence. Establish your reign upon the earth. Come quickly, we pray, to put this world to rights.”

You will notice several changes that set this season apart, from the smell of incense to different vestments, and from new music to the lighting of the Advent candle to begin worship. And don’t forget the Advent Parish Quiet Day (see below).

The Ceili and Men’s Chili Cook-off, an annual highlight, is here (Dec. 6). We’ll have live Celtic music and dancing, and an array of chili so good, it’ll set you free. Men of Christ Church, rise up and claim your inheritance. Sign up here to participate. Families, please bring chili sides (see below).

Our commissioning of Church of the Cross last Sunday was glorious and holy. With eyes that could see we might have watched tongues of fire resting upon us as together we carried on the apostolic mission of God. Our sending of our people was in direct obedience to and fulfillment of the resurrected Jesus’ last words to his disciples, ” . . . you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Mission is always costly; and you, who are still Christ Church, have joyfully counted the cost of discipleship for the sake of new life. We have walked the adventurous, gospel way of offering our gifts of people and resources for the sake of the kingdom. I sense the Lord’s pleasure in our scrappy, sacrificial generosity. We look forward to giving our attention to all the exciting things bubbling up in our parish in this next season.

This Thanksgiving week, I am grateful to be part of such an open-handed and Spirit-filled community as you. I am grateful for the health and strength of our parish. I am grateful for your friendship and your choices to press into pursuit of Jesus.